How To Reduce The Fees Paid To Your Tampa Divorce Lawyer

Getting a divorce in Florida can be a very time consuming and stressful process. However, if there are no contested issues that need to be adjudicated filing for a simplified divorce petition may be a viable option. There are some significant benefits that simplified petitions offer couples seeking a divorce. For instance, a Florida divorce simplified petition will significantly reduce Tampa divorce attorney fees. There is no trial or appeal in a simplified dissolution, thus the amount of time a Tampa divorce lawyers needs to prepare for the divorce is minimal. Unlike, a regular divorce in Florida where there are numerous contested issues and court hearings. However, not everyone is eligible for simplified divorce petitions; Florida divorce law imposes strict requirements on all applicants.



Under Florida divorce law, all couples seeking a simplified divorce procedure must comply with three general requirements. First off, Florida divorce law only permits simplified petitions when the couple has no children and the wife is not pregnant. Secondly, the couple must have a written agreement allocating the division of all marital assets. Typically, this is the reason why Tampa divorce lawyer fees are lower than regular divorces. Property division is usually a highly contested matter that takes hours of negotiation to settle. In most divorces there are many assets with a lot of sentimental and monetary value that each party fights over. Divorces can create a lot of hostility between the two parties, which makes negotiating property division even more challenging. Lastly, the two parties must both sign the simplified divorce petition and appear at the final court hearing to be eligible. These three requirements are strictly imposed and if neither one is satisfied a simplified dissolution of marriage will not be permitted by the Florida family law court.



A simplified divorce petition will save the parties a lot of money on Tampa divorce attorney fees; however, there may be some downside to the simplified petition. For instance, simplified divorce petitions do not allow for the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. In addition, parties to the divorce are not required to submit a financial affidavit outlining the assets each of them own. The inability to cross-examine coupled with no financial affidavit may significantly increase the possibility of a spouse concealing assets.



If you are considering filing for a divorce you should speak with an experienced Tampa divorce lawyer to evaluate your legal options. The Tampa divorce lawyer can review the facts of your case and provide you with a legal strategy to accomplish your goals.